Page 54 of Out on a Limb

The word punched him in the face.

The front door closed. Cheers exploded in the apartment. Music was turned on. It was a time to celebrate.

Except in this tiny closet. Walker wished he could see Cameron’s reaction.

Cameron broke apart completely from Walker’s grasp. The cold air slammed his exposed body.

“I’m trying everything I can not to fall for you,” Walker said.

“I’m moving across the country, and you have a kid.” Cameron opened the door and rejoined the party. In the light, Walker saw how red his cheeks were. “So try harder.”

CHAPTER Seventeen

Cameron

It was one of those early April afternoons that actually acted like spring. The sun shined across campus and nobody dared wear a jacket. It was a great day for great news.

“To Greg Sanderson.” Cameron lifted his mimosa. “Who’s off to teach all of America!”

“Funny,” Greg deadpanned before breaking into a smile. Ethan hugged him tight, smiling enough for both of them.

Greg was accepted into the Teach for America program. He’d tried explaining it to Cameron over the first round of mimosas. Cameron knew it was highly coveted, that thousands of college kids across the country applied to work in inner city schools for two years. Like being an assistant in Hollywood, it sounded like two years of hell that would pay dividends for your résumé. Oh, and helping kids, too.

“I’ve always wanted to visit Philly,” Ethan said.

“BigRockyfan?” Greg asked.

“BigRockyfan?” Ethan said mockingly. “No, bigBaby Mamafan.”

Cameron watched the cute couple be even cuter. He wondered if Greg really wanted to be assigned to Philly, or if he was only doing it to stay close to Ethan. He knew of plenty of couples where one person took a job in a certain city to stay close to the other. He couldn’t tell if that was love, or obligation, or guilt. Maybe they were all the same. That’s what Walker did for Doug, although Doug had him so whipped he didn’t even leave Duncannon. Cameron downed his mimosa.

“And just like that, our graduates have their next steps,” Henry said, a touch of sorrow in his voice. He pointed his glass at Greg, then Cameron.

“Well, mine isn’t set yet. I just sent in a résumé,” Cameron said.

“Yeah, but that Arthur guy is pretty high up. I’m sure he’ll pass your résumé right to the top. And you’ll kick ass at your interview,” Ethan said.

“Or suck dick,” Henry said. “Whatever gets you the job.”

Cameron shook his head. He had the weirdest friends, and in that moment, he realized how fleeting this time was. It struck him like lightening. In a few months, they’ll never be able to sit around on a Friday morning and drink.

Cameron stood up. The mimosas kicked in. “It’s a gorgeous day, guys. The celebrating shouldn’t stop.”

Another round of mimosas turned into drinking beer at the riverfront turned into aReal Housewivesmarathon drinking game at Henry and Cameron’s apartment. A small pile of beer bottles and cardboard amassed in the corner of the living room.

“Oh! Someone just did a z-finger snap!” Greg yelled.

They all drank.

“Which one?” Cameron asked.

Greg shrugged. Who could tell them apart anyway? Cameron liked having Greg as a friend. He wished he got to know him better. How well did anyone know anyone in college? These four years went by so fast.

After the third hour, they ordered pizza. Nolan came over after being a good student and attending class. More cardboard boxes added to the pile. Ethan continued to audibly gasp at the shenanigans onscreen, while Henry sided with the show’s “villain.” The day went on around them. Time ceased to exist at this party.

That was, until 5:02 p.m.

Cameron noticed the time on his phone when he answered a call from Walker. They had spent the rest of Nolan’s party pretending that kiss in the closet never happened. Cameron had said it was the adrenaline of almost being caught that pressed Walker’s lips into his, and Walker didn’t object to the rationalization.